Bladder campion - Silene vulgaris

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Bladder campion - Silene vulgaris
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

The long, sprawling, branched flowering shoots of bladder campion are sent out in spring and the flowers open from May onwards, giving a display of white flowers throughout the summer. The individual flowers are small and have five-notched petals, which grow out of an inflated bladder-like calyx, hence its name.

A native perennial of rough, grassy places often on slightly disturbed soil, this is a clump-forming plant with waxy, greyish-green leaves that are oval and terminate in a slight point. This plant prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position. It will grow well in a rock garden or it will establish in a meadow or grassy bank.

The very attractive insect the black and red froghopper is often seen on this plant.

Animals

Black & red froghopper

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, May to September
Moisture	(Dry)
Sunlight	(Full sun to Part-shade)
Origin	Native